A-League draft set for Dec. 17

December 10, 200310:34 AM PST

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers will take part in United Soccer League’s annual A-League College Draft on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The draft, which begins at 12 noon Pacific Time, will be held via conference call.

The Timbers have the ninth pick in this year’s draft, which is comprised of two open rounds and follows the same format as 2003, with expansion Puerto Rico and Edmonton getting the first two picks. The remaining list is based on reverse order of the final league standings.

At 15-11-2 (47 points), Portland tied Virginia Beach for the league’s ninth-best record in 2003.

Defending regular-season champion Milwaukee will have two picks in the first round (7th, 16th), gaining Richmond’s selection in a trade.

Last season, the Timbers drafted forward Ryan Coiner from the University of San Diego with their first pick. With its second-round choice, Portland chose goalkeeper Curtis Spiteri from the University of Portland.